In his first epistle, John calls us to live holy lives as a result of the work of God in us. The letter is filled with strong statements about the necessity of holy living, and he even offers our own …
In Isaiah 41, God assures the people of Israel of the certainty of their salvation and reminds them of their calling to be a blessing to the world (Genesis 12:1-4). Although the Assyrians would usher in God’s judgment, God promised …
The book of lamentations consists of passages of lament for sin followed by passages of comfort. This verse immediately follows a passage of lament and focuses on the good character of God. God’s goodness demands a response, and so those …
John the Baptist made this statement about Jesus’ identity before he baptized him in the Jordan river. John recognized Jesus for who he really was: the ultimate Passover lamb (Exodus 12:1-11) and the prophesied suffering servant (Isaiah 53). Jesus is …
In Acts 4, Luke records the persecution of Peter and John by the Jewish Sanhedrin. After the Jewish leaders heard them preaching about Jesus in the temple courts, they had them arrested and interrogated. This verse is part of their …
In Ephesians 5, Paul draws a sharp contrast between believers and unbelievers. Not only should we avoid sin, but Paul calls us to live as light for others. Therefore, when Paul goes on to describe Christian characteristics, he not only …
